Witnesses speak out about teen and toddler hit by car

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Investigators say Friday evening two girls ran a stop sign while riding a child's toy motorbike. Now those nearby tell us what they heard and saw that night.

Witnesses, who did not want to go on camera, say Friday around 6 p.m. they heard a loud bang, followed by screams and several sirens near 8th and Campbell Streets, and they rushed outside to see what happened.

"I heard a loud boom,” neighbor Terrell Askew said. “It sounded like something hit something. But I thought it was them, and them playing so I paid no attention until I heard all the fire trucks and all the people screaming."

"Just a loud smack, metal on metal,” another neighbor, Mark Bryant explained. “And immediately when you heard it you knew that something had just happened that probably was going to be not good."

When they stepped outside to see what the noise was all about, they were met with a frightening sight.

"Horrific,” Bryant said. “I mean if you see legs hanging out from under a car and a frantic driver, obviously that's something that raises concern."

Investigators say two girls, a 2-year-old and a 14-year-old, ran a stop sign while riding a pink child's toy motorbike.

Bryant says it only took responders minutes to arrive, but getting the trapped teen out took responders extra time.

"It took less than 20 minutes for them to lift the vehicle and get the 14-year-old girl out,” Bryant explained. “They were able to get the small child out immediately."

Both girls were taken to the hospital. There is no word yet on their conditions.

Parents who live nearby say they will be keeping a closer eye on their kids.

"I have to walk across the street with a grown-up,” Ravyion Cook said about his parent’s new rules.

And kids say this has taught them some very important lessons.

"Everybody should be careful when they cross the street,” D-Cory Shellman said.

There is no word yet if charges will be filed against the driver.

Those who live near the where the accident happened are asking people to slow down, and pay attention.

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I lived in a neighborhood where the family had a miniature four-wheeler. The dad, the teenage cousin and the irresponsible, bratty seven-year old would drive their infant around on that thing. It is by the grace of God there was never an accident.

Slow down and pay attention? When a 14 year old teenager, illegally driving a motorbike on a public roadway, after sunset (which was about 5:41 PM), with a 2 year old toddler as a passenger, runs a stop sign, the possibility of an accident waiting to happens is blatantly obvious. This has nothing to do with some other driver.

This may however have a lot to do with not supervising one's own children. To paraphrase and old public service commercial: It's six PM, do you know where your children are?"

Nothing in the report saids anything about the driver of the car speeding. It did talk about the kids running the stop sign. The Kids (their parents) should be charged with running the stop sign and I am willing to bet they didn't have helmets on either.

"There is no word yet if charges will be filed against the driver." Unless this driver is guilty of something non-related to the accident, then why should any charges be considered against this driver. The girl,along with a toddler, operating a scooter, ran a stop sign and was struck by someone. There was probably nothing this driver could do to avoid hitting the scooter. The 14 yr. old is definitely old enough to know to stop at a stop sign and look both ways before crossing. No fault for the driver here and kids were very fortunate to still be alive.

Seems like there is a traffic problem.....no wait scratch that....Seems like there is a parenting problem in this neighborhood. The kids parents should be charged with neglect......how could you let your children ride a toy motorcycle on a city street with a two you old.

Slow down and pay attention......right.......why not just be responsible for your kids? I saw the mother on the news last night, not appearing to be very upset that she had 2 kids in the hospital because she was sitting home (or wherever she was) without a clue where her kids were. Then to top it off, a 14 year-old being responsible for a 2 year old. Social Services needs to look into this situation.

...but these motorized scooters are not intended to be ridden on public streets among traffic. People in this town do need to slow down, but most importantly parents need to be responsible for their children, know where they are and know what they're doing. That in itself will go a very long way in preventing unfortunate situations like this. This could've been very tragic!

I'm glad these girls are going to be okay and hope some good lessons were learned!

what in the world were a 14 and a 2 year old doing riding this thing on a city street in the first place ! They are very lucky to have survived without serious injury, but PLEASE, parents, PLEASE don't let your children do stupid things like this !

Charges for Driver? What about charges for the parents who should have been caring for the two year old? To allow this 14 year old to ride a two year old around on a mini bike on a busy street is the definition of Neglect!! I have a two year old daughter and it would absolutely be my fault if I allowed her to be put in this situation.

"There is no word yet if charges will be filed against the driver". Really!! What did the driver do? The mother of the children should be charged and DSS called to investigate. Why not charge the Juvenile. A 15 year old knows right from wrong.